Rea died early Wednesday, Oct. 26, at the Crook County Memorial Hospital in Sundance. He was born Feb. 2, 1935, on the family farm west of Powell, the son of John T. and Evea J. Rea. He attended school at Powell. He entered the U. S. Army in 1956 and spent time at Ft. Lewis, Wash., and two months in Alaska, serving as a Field Communications Crewman and as a lineman. He received a Good Conduct Medal was discharged in 1958.

Tom married Villa Haworth in 1951 and they were the parents of three children. He later married Arlene Burdick in 1987. Tom worked as a partsman for numerous businesses, including Wasson Chevrolet for 20 years.

Tom belonged to the Rawhide Jamboree Musicians. He enjoyed playing his guitar, singing and loved fishing.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Survivors include his wife Arlene of Lusk; two sons, Bill of Lusk and Jack of Houseville, Ala.; one daughter, C.J. of Jeffery City; two sisters, Jane Snodgrass of Tunner, Wash., and Peggy Hillberry of Sheridan; seven grandchildren and numerous other relatives and friends.